BlondieBC
Banned
How much of a role do you think that World War II and its aftermath had in the eventual breakup of the USSR?
A couple of users here have suggested that without WWII and its aftermath (specifically holding an empire in Eastern Europe and fighting a Cold War against the U.S.), the USSR would have likely survived and avoided breaking up:
https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...t-the-fall-of-france-50-years-earlier.409620/
What I'm wondering is this--do you agree with this sentiment? Indeed, do you think that the Soviet collapse and break-up would likely be completely avoided in a TL where there is either no Soviet involvement or a much smaller Soviet involvement in World War II (both of which can be done by avoiding the Fall of France in 1940)?
IMO, the demographic issues associated with Stalin prewar actions and WW2 greatly contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union.